Train-dispatching system for railroads



March 3, 1931. c, LEAKE 1,794,628

TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Jan. 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,4 ATTORNEY March 3, 1931. R. c. LEAKE TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Jan. 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'b ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3,

UNITE mm ,RICI-IARD c. LnAKn'oF noonn's'rnn, unwyonnnssrenoni ro GENERAL SIGNAL COMPANY, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

TRAIN-DISPATYO-I-IJIYNG SYSTEM ron nAln-noezos Application filedJanuary 12, 1329. Serial No. 332,132.

This invention relates totrain dispatching systems of the Way-side signal'indicat ing type, and more particularly to a cen-,

tralized tral'lic' controlling system of the kind where the dispatcher supervises control over the system and wherein OS signals are transmitted. through the medium of synchronous selectors and distributors.

In my prior application Ser. No..32 1,186

station distributor only isoperated When an OS indication isreceived' from such way station. In accordance with the present in-= vention it isproposed to usea'selector and a plurality of distributors; conveniently called a self stepping synchronous system i in which the selector at the dispatchers'of-y fice' and all of the way station distributors are normally at rest and are stepped in syn- 'chronism' in the event that either the dispatcher operates oneof his levers or an OS 1 transmitted from a way.

indication is to be station.-

More specifically itis proposedto provide at "the dispatchersoffice a selector of the stepped rotating type, a master relay, a

line relay, so interconnected that movement of the selector operates the master relay, operation of the master relay operatesthe'line relay andoperation of the line relay in turn operates the: selector; rIt is thus seen that these three devices have; a tenolencyto operate in" succession so long as their interconnections are ma'intained. A further object 3 'ofjthe present invention is to permit the closure of the message circuits, many 0 Which are intermittently completed, in sequence, only at a time when the selector and l the various distributors are at'rest, andthis is accomplished by carrying each ,onegof these messagecircuits through contacts-{of the main relayandthe' line relay closed only when these tworelays are out of step; which occurs onlywhen the selector in the disrest;

erence will be made to 'Zratus for controlling the switch'machine'an'd signals at one end of the passingsiding;-and

tions.

"PATE o ricE' 7 RAILWAY patchers ofiice, and station selectors are. at i Otherfeatures, of the present inventlon reside'in the provision of means inthe 'dispatchers ofi'ic-efor allowing theselector and thegvarious distributorsto operate through at least 'twocomplete revolutions for each initiationthereof, and means at each of the way stations foreffecting operation of the selector in the dispatchers Office and all ot-th'e *way' station "distributors through atlleast two revolutions in response to initiation of the synchronous apparatus from the corresponding way station. 1

Other objects, purposes and characteristic l features or the inventionare in partobvious from the ShOWIIJg' 1n the accompanying drawings and will in part'be pointed out in the specification hereinafter."

In describing the inventionjin detail refi I the accompanying drawings inwhich Fig 1A shows conventionallythe apparatus located in the dispatchers oliice of a simplified system illustrating only the appa Fig; 1B illustrates conventionally 'appal :ratus embodyingthe present invention such as found at a single Way station controlling single'swltch machineand the associated signals, together with additional line relays for controlling apparatus other way'sta- Apparatus 0f the system.'Although in practice the dispatcher controls'the switch machine and Way-side signals of a large por- 'tion o'f a railway system, possibly including 7 many -p'assing sidings, diverging routes, draw bridges, railway crossing, and the like; the

' present invention has for convenience been shown'applied tolthe. apparatus located at a one endof a passingsidingPS (see'Fig. 1B) Lconnectinga single tracksection N and asingle track section 0 of a single track railway '95 block signalling'to the single track section 0.

system signalled with absolutepermissive- The east'and West {end of this passing siding contain the track switches SE and SW; 'respectivelyi] These'switches have associated therewith'the usual detector track circuits, inloo sulated from the rest of the track by insulating joints 3 and 4, respectively. The detector track circuit at the east end includes the usual track battery 5 and detector track relay tively, and the corresponding entering signals have been designated 1 and 1 111' the tower is'preferably located a miniature track layout corresponding inevery detail to the system of which the dispatcher has control, and in thcparticnlar arrange ment shown includes only the passing siding PS. This miniature passing's-iding has an indicating lamp 1 associated therewith,

which if illuminated indicates occupancy of the corresponding detector trackcircuit, namely the detector track circuit containing the detector track relay DT. The track switch SE at the east end of passing siding PS is preferably controlled by a switch machine SM,which switch machine is preferably controlled by the switch machine relay SMR, which relay is inturn controlled by the lever SML through the medium of synchronous selector system hereinafter described. Similarly, the signals 1, 1, 2, and 2 are controlled by the signal relay SR and direction relay DR through the medium of the synchronous selector system in accordance with the positionotthe lever SL located in the dispatchers oflice. 1 U

The apparatusin the dispatchers oliice also includes a synchronous distributor or selector SS. It may be pointed {out thateach waystation includes a similar distributor orselector, and for convenience the dispatchers device is hereinafter called a selector and is designated SS and the way station device is called a distributor and is designated SD.

I This selector SS is one of the spring actuating escapement type, in which the main spring 10 through the medium of gearll and pinionlil, drives the selector shaft 13, this main spring 10. being wound up intermittently by the winding magnet .l Vli l, having an armature l4, acting through pawl 1.5 to operate ratchet wheel-16. held against return by the pawl 17. The selector shatt13 is permitted toro-tate in step-by-step iasliion through the escapeinent wheel 1.8,the rotation of which is retarded by extension 26 connects the slip ring 28 successively to one of a plurality of contacts a", 8

"the pallet 19 controlled by magnets 20 and 21.

The shaft 13 drives a selector arm 'ha'ving an BXlZGllSlOD 26 insulated therefrom. The

arm 25 intermittently connects aseries of contacts through the slip ring 27 whereasthe The apparatus in the stationalso includes a linerelay LR", a'inaster relayMR, an indicating relay IR and initiating relayilN, a repeater relay RR, astart ng relay STR, a

starting repeater relay RSR and a cancelling relay CR. It may be pointed out here that the line relay LR is one of the polar magnetic stick type, which it .moment-arily energized bycurrent of one polarity assumes a certain position until energized by current of another polarity, which relay constructed to have its. rate lot res ionse changed, as conventionally shown by the weight 30 adjustably fastened to the movable contact 31, the position of the adjustable weight being fixed by set screw 82. Themaster relay MB is a two-element relay adapted to assume any one of three positions this relay being biased to its neutral normal position, and when energized assumes one or the other extreme position depending upon which of its coils is energized. This relay MR also has another operating characteristic of which advantage is taken, namely it will not change its position if the second coi 'isenergized with the first coil still energized, but will move to the other extreme position when the first. coil is (ls-energized.

The indicating relay IR is also a. polar stick relay similar to the relay LR. The relays IN, RR, STR, and ESE are all neutral relay, of

which the relays STH and RSR are pur these windings being so arranged that the armature 33 is moved in one direction or the other depending upon which of thesewindings is energized thereby effecting opening otonc or the other oftwo circuits-completed through the armature 33.

.Referring to Fig. 1B, of the drawings, the

line relays LE LE and LE for-controlling these diilerent way station distributors have been shown. relays of the permanent magnet type which have their contacts biased to the neutral pos tion as conventionally shown. The perio dicity of these relays is also adjustable, and in each case may be changed by adjusting the weight 30, associated therewith. Attention is directed to the fact that the line relay LE at the dispatchers ofiice is a magnetic stick polar relay, whereas the line relay LRHLRZ and LR. are polar relays having their armatures biased'tothe neutral position, otherwise the operating characteristics of these relays are the same, that is they are all polar relaysand respond in substantially the same period of time. The reason-tor biasing certain of these relays to neutral'is more conven ently explained hereinafter.

cludes a synchronous distributor SD. This chronous selector heretofore described. The

paratus for the distributor SD is identical to These three'relays are polar 1 Q The apparatus n the way station ;loca-" tion containing the line relay LE also insynchronous distributor includes anotatable distributing arm35 cooperating with a slip ring 36 and aplurality of contacts (Z0, (Z (Z 1Z dtd d d (Z The winding ap,-

' whole is designated MS. The shaft 50 also menses the winding apparatus of the selector SS, and for this reason like parts thereof'have been assigned-like reference characters. 'The pallet 37 of thevdistributor SDis operated alternately in opposite directions by the magnets Y38 and 39. On opposite sides oflthe pallet 37 are'located inertia members '40 and'41, which are pivotally supported at points 42 and-43,

and engage stops 68 and 69, respectively, and are adapted through the medium of adjusting "screws 44 and 45 to engage andclose the contacts 46 and 47, these inertia members being operated through the medium of anvil screws 48 and 49 engageable by the'pallet 37. These inertia members 40 and 41 are biased in posi-' tion to engage stops 68 and 69 as shown and will not be moved in response to engagement by the pallet 37 when this pallet is operated intermittently in response to current flowing alternately in opposite directions if this cur rent is reversed. at a predetermined rate; but,

one of these members is operated if voltage is applied to the corresponding coil 38 or 39 for a sufficient period of time to allow current to build up to a predetermined value. In otherwords, if the alternate movement of the line relay LE is very'quick the vpallet 37 is operated without closing either of the conmembers 40 and 41 is in part attributed'toithe inertia of "these members, and is in part attributed to the fact that voltagesapplied to the magnet 38 or 39 for a very short period of time will not allow current to buildup in these circuits by reason of the inductive reactance of these magnets 38 or-39 to the necessary value to efi'ect operation, s0 thatzthe current actually flowing in these magnets is not sufiicient to overcome the bias of the inertia members 40 or 41, as the case may be.

The distributor shaft 50 in addition to the distributor arm 35 and the escapement wheel 51 contains a worm 52, which is adapted to be engaged by the arm 53, normally resting on a rest 54 and urged against the stop 55 by the spring 56, this arm 53being pivoted at 57 to an armature 58-which is biased against a stop net 60. This apparatus just described is for convenience called a mechanical stick device, which is used for holding the armature 58 'closed through a predeterminednumber of revolutions of distributor contact36 and as a contains'a stop arm 61normally engaged by the armature 62 of a release magnet It is believed that the functioning of the various devices, as well asthe system as a whole,'is

most readily described in connection with the operation of the system.

7 0pemtz'0a.For convenience the exact manner of controlof the switch machine SM andthe signals 1','1 ,2, and2 by the relays SR,

DR and SMR have notbeen specifically shown but have been illustrated by dotted lines, and for a more detailed description and disclosure of the interconnecting circuits thereof attention is directed to my prior apphcation above identified.

Let us assume that the dispatcher wishes to move his switch machine SM to the reverse positlon. In order to so move theswltch machine he must change the switch machlne relay SMR from its normal to its dotted posi- V tic-n; In order to so operate the relay SMR the dispatcher will move his leverSML to the left hand position thereby. momentarily completing the following circuit :beginning at the battery 70, wires 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and

76, lever contact 77 closed momentarily dur-,

ing movement of the lever SML to the are treme left-hand. position, wires 78 and..80,

upper winding of the repeater relay RR, wires 82, 83 and 84, back to the battery 70.

Momentary completion of the circuit'just traced completes a stick circuit for the initiatrelay IN which may be traced asfol- .lows :beginning at the battery 70, wire 86,

armature 33 of the cancelling relay CR, contact 87 of this samerelay, wire 88, front stick With the relay HR in its energized position the following stick circuit for this relay is closed and hascurrent flowing" therein :beginning at the battery 70, wire 86, armature 33 of the cancelling relay CR, contact 91 of this relay CR, wire 92, stick contact 93 of the relay RR, wire 94, lower winding of the relay RB, wires 95, 83 and 84, and back to the battery 7 0. With the contact-96 of the repeater relay RR closed thefollowing circuit for the starting relay STR- is completed beginning at the negative terminal of the bat tery 100, wires 101, 1 02, 103, 104 and 105,

winding of thestarting relay STR, wire 106 lVith the starting relay STE in its ener gized position the following circuit for re winding the selector mechanism is closed:-'

beginning at the battery 70, wires 71, 7 2 and 116, winding of the windlng magnet 'VVM,

wires 117, and 118, contact 113 of the start-' so i winding of the initiating relay INnviref'Sl,

ing relay STR, wire 114, 115 and 84, back to the battery 70.

lVith the starting relay STR in itsenergized position the following energizing circuit for the repeater starting relay RSR is broken beginning at the battery 70, wires 71, 72, 73, Y 4 and 111, winding of the repeater relay RSR, wire 112, back contact 113 of the starting relay STR, wires 114, 115 and 84,

back to the battery 70.

With the repeater starting relay RSR deenergized, and with the starting relay STE energized the followin circuit for operating the master relay to its left-hand position is completed :beginning at the battery 70, wires 71, 72, 73, 120 and 121, magnet 122, Wires 124 and 125, back contact 126 of the relay RSR, wires 12'? and 118, front contact 113 of the relay ST'R, wires 114, 115 and 84, back to the battery 70.

As heretofore mentioned, the line relay LR is a polar stick relay and with the selector in the zero position assumes a position to energize the coil 21 of the escapement mechanism of the selector SS, this because the master relay was last energized to the right. i

Vith the master relay MR in its left-hand position, in response to energization of its coil 122 through the circuit just traced, current flows inthe following clrcuit for energizing all of the line relays LR", LE LE IR to the left-hand position :beginning at the 7 negative terminal of battery 130, wire 131,

contact 132 of the master relay MB in its lefthand position, wire 133, winding of the relay LR", stepping or synchronizing wire including the windings of the relays LE LE and LE in series, and the common return wire C connected by wire 134 to the midpoint of hattery 130. Completion of this circuit operates the contacts 135 and'31 of relay LR- to the left-hand position. i 7

With the contact 135 in its left-hand position the following circuit for the magnet 20 of the escapement mechanism of selector SS is completed :-beginning at the battery 70, wires 71 and 136, contact 135 of the relay LR" in its left-hand position, Wire 13?, magnet winding 20, wires 138, 139, and 84, back to the battery 7 0. With the magnet 20 energized the selector contact 25 and its extension is allowed to take one step corresponding to the position 8 lVith the arm 25 assuming the position one the following circuit for the right-handcoil OftlIS master relay is completedzbe 'inning at the battery 70, wires 71, 72, 73, and 140, coil 123 of the master relay MR, wire 141 connected through various umpers to a ternate contact 142 at position two on the inner circle of contacts,

through the arm 25, the slip ring 27, wire 143, back tothe battery T0. With this circuit completed the master relay MR has a ten- 7 dency to assume the right-hand pos-iti0n,but it is rest-rained from moving toward the right because the contact 126 of the repeater relay tion the energization of coil 123 ofthe master 1 relay MR isefiective to move its contact 132 to the right-hand position, in which case all of the line relays LR", LE LE and LE will be operated to the right-hand position, thus allowing the selector SS as well as each of the distributors SD to take the next step. It will he noted that as soon as the arm 25 of the selector SS has moved to the third position current may again flow to the lefthand coil 122 of the master selector, but through a dif ferent and the following circuit :-beginning at the battery 70, wire 71, 72 and 'Z 3, 120 and 121, magnet 122 of the master relay MR, wires 124 and 144, through various jumpers to the contact 145 at position three on the selector lays in turn operate the selector SS and'the variousdistributors SD through successive steps about their circumference. It should be noted that when the selector arm 25 again reaches the zero position the apparatus will be stopped, because the master relay MB is do:

energized in this position of the selector SS,

because the zero contact on the inner contact ring is not connected to the coil 122 of the master relay ME in the zero position of the arm 25 as is the case in all other even positions about the circumference. This arm 25 applying potential to the coil 123 of the master relay MR inall odd positions of the arm 25 about the circumference. Putting it another way the synchronous selector SS is so connected to the relay MR, the relay MB is so connected to the line relay LR", and the line relay LR is in turn so connected to the coils 20 and 21 of the escapement mechanism, that when the arm 25'of the. selector SS has once been moved otl of its Zero position, these devices step each other along and effect stepping 'of'the contact arm 25 until it again reaches its zero position the second time. It is understood that the master relay MB is Clo-energized in the zero position of the selector SS'and that ifthis master relay MB is for any reason energized to its left-hand position the apparatus is again released and operated throughatleast another revolution.

It is of course possible that a way station distributor, such asdistributon SD, could lose several steps-inone complete cycle of operation, as in case of a lightning strokeoccurrin at the proper time, and the like. For this'reason it is desirable to have all of these way stat-ion distributors resynehronized at the end of each cycle. It is noted, and has been pointed out hereinbetore, that the way stat-ion line relays LE LE have their contacts biased to the neutral position, whereas pallets, to the normal position where they are held bythe lock arm62, and this is exactly 'what occurs when the dispatchers selector reaches the zero position. It is of course understood that this free stepping along of the way station distributors only occurs when they have lost a step or more.

Let us now considerthe apparatus associated with the line relay LR As heretofore explained the synchronous distributor SD is held in its normal position bythe release arm 62 engaging the stop arm 61. Also as hereto tore mentioned, the first impulse transmitted to the line, namely the synchronous impulse operates the various line relays to the lefthand position, and which impulse is of a long duration, because of the slow acting characteristics of the starting relay STR and a repeater starting relayRSR, causesrelease of these distributors as will presently be ex plained. This first andlong impulse operates the line relay LE to its left-hand posie tion, thereby closing the following circuit for v a rather long period of time :beginning at the battery 150, wire 151, contact 152 of the line relay LE wire 153, magnet winding 39, wires 154, 155, 156 and 157, back to the battery 150.

The circuit 'just completed operates the pallet 37 to the left-hand position, and by reason of thelong duration of current applica- I tion to the coil 39 the contact 46 is closed,

thereby completing the followingcircuit for.

the release magnet RM:-beginning at the battery 150, wires 158 and 159, winding of the release magnet RM, wire 160, slow-closing contacts 4C6, wires 161, 156 and 157, back to the battery 150.

Energization of the release magnet RM causes the stop arm 61 to bereleased thereby permitting the escapement wheel 51 to oper ate one-half tooth, that is until the right-. 3' hand anvil of the pallet 37 engages the next tooth otthisescapement Wheel, thus allowing the distributor SD to assume the position (Z as distinguished from its normal 6Z tion. Operation, of the release magnet RM also closes the contacts 163, thereby rewindposiing; the distributor by energization of the winding magnet WM through the following circuit :-beginning at the battery 150, wires 158, and 162, contact 163 of the release magnet RM, wire 16 1, winding magnet WM, wires 165 and 157, back to the battery150. Corn- .pletion of this circuit winds the distributor SD to an extent tov operate it through at least one complete revolution.

If the distributor SD has once been re leased by energi-zation ot'the release mag-1 net RM it is permitted to rotate in step-bye I step fashion. and in synchronism with the' selector SS inthe dispatchers oilice through alternate energization of the coils 38 andf39.

in response to alternate polarity of energization of the linerelay LE3. It. is understood:

that the slow-closing contact 46 is only closed in response to the first impulseot the "series of impulses transmitted from'the master-jrelay MR, this first impulse being much longer than the rest ofthe impulses, this by reason of the slow-acting characteristic ofthe starting relays STR and RSR which causes the master relay MB to be held in its left-hand. position for an appreciable period of time atthe beginning of each cycle of rotation of the selector arm of the selector SS.

It is noted that during the last two steps of each rotation of the selector SS in thedispatchers oflice that the upper winding and,

the lower winding of the cancellingrelay CR are momentarily energized succession, the upper windlng being energized on the th position of the selector arm whereas the lower winding is energized on the 31st, position of this arm 25. The turns of these windings are arranged oppositely so that energization of the upper winding causes the armature 33th be moved to the left whereas energization of for the repeater relay RR including the stick contact 93, but this relay BR will not be de-' energized because its upper winding is still energized. Upon movement of the extension the lower winding causes the armature 33 to be moved to the right. These circuits need 26 in engagement with contact 8 which etfects energization of lower: winding of the relay CR and effects movement of armature 33 to its right-hand position, causes opening the stick circuit for the initiating relay IN.

This efi'ects dropping of its stick contact 89,

thus leaving this relay IN de-energized but leaving the repeater relay RR still energized. With the contact 96 of the repeater relay RR still closed the starting relay STR is again energized when the arm 25 reaches the zero position, because the circuit heretofore traced for this relay STR is again closed.

. Energization of this starting relay STR effects de-energization o f'the repeater relay RSR and again initiates theapparatus and causes it to be operated through an entire cycle of operation comprising 32' steps of which the first step is of long duration for reasons heretofore explained. When the ee lector arm 25 reaches the position where the extension 26 engages the contact 8 the cancelling relay GR is again energized to its left- 7 ,hand position, thereby opening its contact 91 and breaking the stick circuit for the repeater relay RR. Since this relay HR at this time relies on its stick circuit for its energization this relay RR is caused to assume its deenergized position, so that the apparatus is 25, slip ring 28, wire 172,.contact 173 of the master relay MR assuming its left-hand posi-' tion, wire 17 4,'contact 31 of the line relay LE assuming its right-hand position, selecting or message wire 175, wire/176, slip ring 36 of the distributor SD associated with the east end of passing siding PS, distributor arm 85,

contact at, wire 177, windin of the switch machine relay SMR, wire 1 ?8, common return wire C connected to the midpoint of battery 100 by wire 110. It will be noted that the circuit just traced applies negative potential momentarily to the switch machine relay SMR thereby causing it to be operated to its left-hand dotted position, in which po' sition it will remain until it is again de-en ,ergized by current of a positive polarity. It

is deemed unnecessary to trace the momentary circuit completed for the relays SR and DR, since they can be readily traced in the drawings and are completed momentarily when the rotating contact arms assume the positions 6 and 7 respectively, while the relays MR and LE assume certain positions.

In this connection it should be noted that in completing the message circuits through contacts 8 and (Z the relays MR and LR must assume respectively the left-hand and right-hand position, as was the case when the message circuit included contacts 8 and d. If, on the other hand, the message circuit is completed through contacts a and al such message circuit is only complete when the relays MR and LR assume respectively the right-hand and left-hand position. In this connection it should be noted that the message circuit is only completed when the selector SS as well as all of the distributors are at rest. Further it should be noted that this occurs at the time when the various line relays shown by the adjustable weights 30. In order to transmit as many distinctive control impulses as practicable the master relay is made very quick acting as is also true of the various distributors, but in order to permit message current to flow for a sufficient period of time to obtain the desired result the line relays are madesomewhat slow acting. In this connection it should be, understood that all line relays should respond in substantially the same period of time, and'likewise all of the distributors and the selector SS should have substantially the same operating characteristics as far as rapidity of response is concerned. In this connection the rate of operation of the selector and distributors may be increased by strengthening the main spring thereof. Also, if desired, the master relay MR may be constructed to have its rapidity of operation adjustable in the same manner as have the line relays.

Let us now assume that there is a west bound train moving in the single track section 0, and that the switch machine has been operated to a take-siding position in response to movement of the relay SMR to its lefthand dotted position, and that the signal 1 has been cleared in response to proper positioning of the signal relay SR and the direction relay DR. Let us further assume that the train in question has accepted the signal 1 and is moving into the side track, thereby eifecting de-energization of the detector track relay DT. If this track relay DT moves from its energized to its tie-energized position the following circuit for the magnet 60 of the mechanical stick device MS is momentarily closed :beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, contacts 180 and 181 connected in series, wire 182, winding of the magnet 60 to common return wire C connected to the other side of said battery. With the magnet 60 momentarily, energized its armature 58 is moved to its dotted position, thereby causing the arm 53 to be pulled oil of the rest 54 and causing it to drop to a position to engage the worm 52. With the arm 53 in this engaged position the arn'iature 58 is held closed through several revolutions of the distributor contact 35. lVhen the arm 53 has been movedbeyondthe rest 54,it is engaged by apin 183 which will raise the arm 58 back on top of adjustable means has been conventionally It is thus seen'that the armature 58 remains in 1ts att acted position througha predetermined number of revolutions of the arm 35 in response to momentaryenergization of the magnet 60. I

With the armature 58 in its attracted position the following circuit for the starting relay STE, locatedin the dispatchers ofiice, is closed :beginning at the battery 100, wires 101,102, 103, lOa'and 105, winding of the starting relay STE, Wire 106, extension 26 or" the selector arm 25, wire 185, selecting for message wire 175, wire 176 (see Fig. 1B) slip ring'36, distributor contact 35, contact 03, wire 186, armature 53 of the mechanical stick device MS, wire 187, common return wire C which through wirellO is connected to the midpoint of battery 100. With this circuit completed the starting relay STE is again energized and the synchronous selector SS as well as the various distributors SD are started upon another cycle of operation,

which cycle of operation is repeated so long as contact 58 remains closed and which time depends onthe number of turns in worm 52 oi. the mechanical stick device MS.

During these several revolutions of the con tact arms and of the selectors and distributors, the following circuit is momentarily closed when these arms reach the contacts s and (Z :beginning at the negative terminal of battery 190 (see Fig. 1B), wire 191, contact 192 of the detector track relay D1 in its lower position, wire 193, contact (Z distributor arm 35, slip ring 36, wire 176, selecting or message wire 175 contact 31 of the hue relay LRQin its left-hand posi lT1011,VJlI'e 1761., contact 173 of the master relay MR in its right-hand position, wire 1'12,

' slip ring 28, extension of the selector arm 25, contact 8 wire 194,, winding of the indicating relay IR, wire 195 common return wire C. wire 196 to the midpoint of battery 190. With this circuit completed the iudieating relay IR is moved to its left-hand dotted position where it will be held until energized by current of reverse polarity, and thereby illuminating the indicating lamp 1 through a circuit readily'traced in the drawings. After the synchronous selector and the various distributors have moved through a number of revolutions, depending on the number of threadsin the worm 52, the apparatus is again brought to a stop, but the in dicating lamp 1 remains illuminater so as the indicating relay IR is not restored to its normal position.

i now the train passes oil of the detector track circuit and the detector track relay DT again assumes its energized position the contacts l'and 1'81 associated with this relay DT are momentarily closed thereby initiating the mechanical stick device MS and again operating the apparatus through at predetermined number of revolutions. Vllith the detector track relay'DT in its energized position each rotation of the selector arm 25 and the distributor arm 35 causes the indicating relay IR to be momentarily energized with current of positive polarity, thereby operating it to its right-hand normal position in which position the indicating lamp I is extinguished.

It is thus seen that a synchronous selector system has been provided in which a synchronous selector at a dispatchers oflice and a plurality of synchronous distributor's at the way stations of a railway system are normally held at rest in a certain normal orzero' position, that these synchronously operated selectors and distributors may be initiated trom the dispatchers end of the system or from any way station, and that whenso initiated they. will operate ingsynchronis'm through at least two complete revolutions after which they will be automatically.

brought to stop. Viewing the apparatusfrom the standpoint of being normally at rest and being initiable from any one 01 the various stations, and if so initiated operating through a predetermined cycle of operation,.the system constitutes one in which the apparatus is "only operating when required, and at the same time isa system inwhich a very large number of distinctive controls may be. transmitted from various points to various other points through a single revolution of cycle of operation of the apparatus. In other words, the system has the advan tages oil-a code responsive selector system in that'it is normally at rest, and has the advantage of the usual constantly operated synchronous selector system in that it affords the transmission of many distinctive controls during a singlerevolution of operation.

Although the manner in which the switch machine relay SMR is controlled has only been specifically pointed out, it is to be understoodthat the relays SR and DR are con trolled in exactly the same way by the lever SL as the switch machineflrelay SMR is controlled by the lever SML, different communicating channels of the synchronous selector system being, however, used. Further, al-

though only a single complete way station has been illustrated it is to be understood that a continuously operated by omitting these outout devices. Similarly, if desired, the entire system maybe operated for a few revolutions only for each movement of a lever, and

' ventionally, and having shown the specific structure of other devices, it is desired to be understood that the specific exemplii'ication of the invention has been selected for the purpose of describing its nature and its manner of operation, and without the intention of showing the scope of the invention or the exact structure preferably employed in carrying out the invention, and that various changes,

modifications and additions may be" made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention or theidea of means underlying the same, except as demanded by the scope of the following claims. 7

What I claim is 1. A synchronous selector train dispatching systemtor transmitting distinctive messages from a local ofiice to a plurality ofway stations andfrom any one of said way stations to said otlice comprising in combination, a central oilice, a plurality of way stations, a rotatable selector arm at said central othce and at each of said way stations but normally held at rest in their zero position and which it operated at a uniform angular velocity-engage corresponding stationary contacts simultaneously, means for operating said selector arms in synchronism including a main spring and an escapement, and means controllable from any one of said way stations and from said central oiiicefor initiating operation of said means.

2. A synchronous selector train dispatching system for transmitting distinctive messages from a local ofiice to a plurality of way stations and from any one of said way stations to said oflice comprising in combination, a central oiiice, a plurality of Way stations, a rotatable selector arm at said central oifice and at each of said way stations but normally held at rest in their zero position and which operated at a uniform angular velocity engage corresponding stationary' contacts simultaneously, means for operating said selector arms in synchronism including a main spring and an escapement, which if initiated operates said arms through a predetermined immber of revolutions, and means controllable from any one of said way stations and from said central office for initiating operaten of said means. v

A self-stepping synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising in combination, a selector including a rotatable contact arm and electro-magnetic means for the cui'nulativeretarding eliect of these three devices. 7 p

a. A self-stepping synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising in combination', a local ofiice selector, a'plurality of way station selectors, a line relay for each of said selectors, a line circuit including all of said line relays in series, means for intermittently energizing said line circuit to 0perate said selectors in synchronism, message circuits completed consecutively through contacts at said oiiice and at one of said way stations, and other means also controlled by said line circuit for applying electricalen ergy to said message circuits a moment after they have been completed and removing said energy just before they are opened, whereby the inherent characteristics of the line'circuit determine the time of application and removal of energy from said message circuits.

5. A self-stepping synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising in combination, a selector including a rotatable contact arm and electro-magnetic means for rotating said arm in step-.by-step fashion, a 3- position relay operated to alternate extreme position in response to stepping of said selector, a polar relay energized in alternate directions in response to operation of said 3-position relay in opposite directions, and means for effecting alternate operationof said electro-magnetic means in response to operation of said polar relay in opposite clirect-ions, other selectors operated by a circuit including said polar relay whereby all of said selectors, said 3-position relay and said polar relay remain in operation at a speed depending on the cumulative retarding effect of said first mentioned selector said 3-position relay and said polar relay and whereby said selectors are started, stopped and operated in synchronism.

6. A self-stepping synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising in combination, a selector including a rotatable con tact arm and electro-magnetic means for rotating said arm in step-by-step fashion, a 3- position relay operated to alternate extreme position in response to stepping of said selector, a polar relay energized in alternate directions in response to operation of said posit-ion relay in opposite directions, and

means for effecting alternate operation of L cences said electromagnetic 5 means "in response to operation of sa1dpolar relay n opposlte d1- i-Iections, otherselectors operated by a circuit including saidpolar relay, and a message circuit completed only when sald g3-posltlon relay has responded to its last energization and said polar relay has not yet responded to its last energization, whereby all offsaid selectors.-

' 7. A self-stepping synchronousselector train dispatching system comprising in combinati on', a selector including a rotatable contact ar m and el ectrof magnetic means torretating said arm'in'step-by-step fashion, ,aw3,- position relay operatedto alternate extreme position in response to steppingof'said selector, a polar relay energized, in alternate directions in response to operation of said position relay in. opposite direction, ineans for effecting alternate operation of said eleo tro-magnetic means in response to operation of said polarrelay in opposite directions, said polar relay being slow acting compared with said selector and said 3-position relay, and a message circuit. completed when said 3-positicn relay has responded to its last energization and said polar relay has not yetresponded to its last energization, whereby said'message circuit can only be ciompleted'when said selector is at rest and will be completed: for

a period of time sufiicient to allow a'message to be transmitted.

' 8; A self-stepping, synchronous selector train-dispatching system comprising in'come bination, a selector including atrotatablecontact arm and electromagnetic means for ro tating said arm in step-by-stepfashion, "3

position relay operated to alternate extreme position in response to stepping ofsaid se lecto r, a polar relay 'energizedjin alternate directions in response to operation of saidSe position relay in opposite directions means for eiiecting alternate operation of saidelec- V tronagnetlc means in response to operation of said polar relay in oppositedirections, sald" polar relay being slow actin'gcompared with said selector and said-3 positi'0nrelay, other 1 "L selectors operated by a circuit'lncluding sald polar relay, and a message clrcuit completedonly when said 3-position relay has responded to its last energization but said 3-pos1t1on rela'y'has not yet responded to it s last energiza-. tion,whereby said message circu t can only be completed when said selectors are at rest and will be completed for a period of timel sufficient to allow a. message to be transmitted.

i 9. In a synchronous selector train dispatching system, the combination with acentraloffice and a pluralityfof way stations, a synchronous selector of the spring actuated escapement type at said o-flice and at each of said way stations, electro -magnets for each selector for operating its escapement' pawl in of opposite polarity and for allowing said cs s lays, whereby all oil said selectors are stepped along in synchronisin upon alternate energization oi saidcircuit by current of opposite polarity and whereby the selector in said ofiice is held at rest and the way station selector escapementsare free' to operate when said line circuit is de-energized.

10. In asynchronous selector train dispatch ng system, the combination with accn: tral oihce and a plurality of waystations,

' a synchronous selector of the spring actuated escapement type at saidofiice and ateach 0t said way stations, electro-magncts for each selector. for operating its escapement pawl in opposite directions, a 3.-position'polar relay V biased to neutral for each of said way sta tions for alternately energizing'the electro-v magnets upon energizationof said relays by currents of opposite polarity and for allow-v ing said escapenient to operate unrestricted when said relays are deenergized, a 2 position unbiased polar relay for actuating the elect-romagnets of selector locatediat said central ofiice, and a circuitincluding all of said polar relays inseries, whereby allot said selectors, aresteppedalong in synchronisin upo-nalternate energization of said circuit by current ofopposite po-larityand whereby the selector in said office is held at rest and the way station selector escaperne-nts are free tooperate when said line circuit is Clo-energized.

11. In, a synchronous selector train dis patching system, the combination with acentral oflice and a plurality of way stations, a synchronous (selectorot the spring actuated v escapement type at said oiiice and at each or I said way stations, electro magnets for-earn selector for operating its escape mentpawl in OPPOSltG'ClHBCtiOILS, l -170 51 61011 polar rela:

bia'sedto neutral for eachof said way stations for alternately energizing the electro-magnets upon energlzation or". said relays by currr ofs'elector located at said central'cftice a rcuit for energizing all of said polar relays, p

a stop arm for cachet said way station selectors for stopping such selector when: it has reached the normal position, whereby all of said selectors are stepped along in synchronisrn upon alternate energizationof said cir-' cuit by current of opposite polarity and whereby uponde-energization of saidline circuit said central ofiice selector is held at rest and the various way station selectors are free to operate until they are stopped by their stop arms.

12. In a synchronous selector train dispatching system, the combination with a central oflice and a plurality of way stations,a

of opposite polarity and for allowing said escapement to operate unrestricted when said relays are de-energized, a 2-position unbiased polar relay fol-actuating the electro-inagnets of selector located at said central oflice, a circuit including all of said polar relays in series, a stop arm for each of said way station selectors for stopping such selector when it has reached the normal position, whereby all of said selectors are stepped alongin synchronism upon alternate energization of said circuit by current of opposite polarity and whereby upon de-energization of said line circuit said central oflice selector is held at rest and the various way station selectors are free to operate until they are stopped by their stop arms. 7

13. A train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type comprising; a plurality of synchronously operated selectors each including a contact arm having a normal position and which upon initiation of such selectors are operated through one complete revoluton; a starting relay which if energized initiates said selectors from their normal position; and means for assuring operation of said selectors through at least two complete revolutions upon momentary completion of a circuit comprising, two stick relays the first of whichif energized assures energization of the second stick relay of which said circuit is the pick-up circuit for the first relay, means for pickingup the second stick relay when said first stick relay is in its energized position, an energizing circuit for said starting relay including a front cont-act of said second stick relay, and means for de-energizing said first stick relay at the end of the first revolution of such selector and for de-energizing the second stick relay at the end of the second revolution of such synchronous selector. 7

14:. A train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type comprising; a plurality of synchronously operated selectors each including a contactarm having a normal position and which upon initiation of such selectors are operated through one complete revolution; and means for assuring operation or" said @lcctors through at least two complete revolutions upon momentary completion of a circuit comprising, twostick relays the circuit is the pick-up circuitfor the first relay,

means for'picking up the second stick relay when said first stick relay is in its energized position, means for initiating said selectors effective when said second relay assumes its energized condition, and means for de-energizing said first stick relay at the end of the first revolution of such selector and for deenergizing the second stick relay at the end of the second revolution of such synchronous selector. V i l I 15. A synchronous selector for train dispatching systems comprising, a rotatablecontact arm, a main spring for driving said arm, an escapement mechanism including an escapement Wheel anda pallet, el'ectro-Inagnets for operating said escapement mechanism, means for energizing one of said electromagnets for either a short or a longer period, and contacts closed if said electro-magnet is energized for such longer period but not closed it said one electro-magnet is energized for a short time only.

16. A synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising, a central office, a plurality of .Way stations, a synchronous selector at said oliice and at each-of said way stations, said selectors being normally at rest and when initiated operating in synchronism through one revolution, and means at said central offree and at each of said Way stations for initiating operation of said selector, said means in cluding means'for repeating the initiation of said selectors at the end of the first revolution of said selectors.

17. A synchronous selector train dispatching system for transmitting distinctive message from a local office toa plurality of way' stations flIKlfLOHl any one of said way stations to said ofiicecomprisingin combination, a central office, a plurality of Way stations, a rotatable selector arm at said central office and at each of said way stations but normally held at rest in their zero position and which if operated at a uniform angular velocity engage correspondingv stationary contacts simultaneously, means for operating said solector armsv insynchronism, means controllable from anyone of said way stations and from said central ofiice'for initiating operation. of said means, and means. for controlling signals and indicatingtrackoccupancybysaid distinctive messages.

18. A synchronousselector train dispatch.- 7

ing system comprising, a central station, a plurality of way stations, a stepping circuit for effecting operation of all of said selectors in synchronism, said selectors beingnormally at rest in their zero position and being initiatedhy control means at said central station, 'amessage wire forcompleting a plurality of message circuits successively during operation of said selectors and affording an initiating circuit when said selectors are in their zero position for actuating saidcontrol means.

19. A. synchronous selector centralized trafii-c controlling system comprising, a central oflice and a plurality of Way stations,- a step ping circuit and a message wire connecting said office and way stations, selector apparatus at said office and at each of said way stations, a stepping relay groupfor operating said selectors in synchronism comprising three separate relay devices the first of which operates the second through the medium of said stepping circuit the second of which di-' rectly operates the thirdand the third of which directly operates the first, a plurality of message circuits established successively through the medium of said selectors and each including said message wire, and control relays controlled over said message circuits.

20. A synchronous selector centrallized traffic controlling system comprising, a central office and a plurality of Way stations, a

stepping circuit and a message wire connecting said office and way stations, selectorapparatus at said office and at each of said way stations, a stepping relay group for operating said selectors in synchronism comprising three separate relay devices the first of which operates the second through the medium of said stepping circuit the second of which directly operates the third and the third of which directly operates the first, a message circuit established by said selectors and in eluding said message wire and contacts of said first and said second relay device.

21. A synchronous selector centrallized traffic controlling system comprising, a central office and a plurality of way stations, a

stepping circuit and a message wire connecting said office and way stations, selector apparatus at said office and at each of said way stations, a stepping relay group for operating said selectors in synchronism comprising three separate relay devices the first of which operates the second through the medium of said stepping circuit the second of which directly operates the third and the third of, V

which directly operates the first, adjustable means for changing the operating characteristics of one of said relay devices, a plurality of message circuits each including said message wire established successively by said sc-.

lectors, and control relays controlled over said message clrcuits.

In testimony whereofI afiix my signature.

RICHARD c. 'LEAKE.

DISCLAIMER 1,794,628.R'Lehard O. Lealce, Rochester, N. Y. TRAIN-DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS. Patent dated March 3, 1931. Disclaimer filed February 16, 1934, by the assignee, General Railway Signal Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 16 and 18 of said Letters Patent, Which are in the following Words, to Wit:

16. A synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising, a central office, a plurality of Way stations, a synchronous selector at said oflice and at each of said Way stations, said selectors being normally at rest and When initiated operating in synchronism through one revolution, and means at said central oflice and at each of said Way stations for initiating operation of said selector, said means including means for repeating the initiation of said selectors at the end of the first revolution of said selectors.

18. A synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising, a central station, a plurality of Way stations, a stepping circuit for efiTecting operation of all of said selectors in synchronism, said selectors being normally at rest in their zero position and being initiated by control means at said central station, a message wire for completing a plurality of message circuits successively during operation of said selectors and aflording an initiating circuit When said selectors are in their Zero position for actuating said control means.

[Ofieial Gazette March 15, 1.934.] 

